Class Visual Effects

The Visual Effects course unit introduces students to the fundamentals and practice of digital compositing and effects creation within animation production, focusing on 2D techniques and the integration of elements (layers, masks, particles, simulations, and graphic effects). The course emphasizes a narrative-driven post-production workflow, where every technical choice supports readability, rhythm, and dramatic intent. Adobe After Effects is the main production tool, supported by professional standards for project organization, versioning, and delivery.

Not applicable

Introduction, history and VFX workflow in animation Project organization, naming conventions, versioning, and renders 2. Compositing fundamentals (After Effects) Layers, precomps, blending modes, alpha, track mattes Masking and mask animation; integration and shot consistency 3. Effects and simulations (2D) for animation Smoke and fog (stylized vs naturalistic) Particles (dust, rain, magic, debris) Liquids (drops, splashes, stylized flows) Cloth and organic elements (motion, deformation, integration) 4. Vector and graphics as VFX Shape layers and procedural effect building Graphic integration (textures, outlines, shadows, style consistency) 5. Expressions Controllers, loops, controlled randomness, parameter automation Simple reusable systems for shots/sequences

Project-Based Learning: weekly problem-driven exercises (shot tasks) plus a final mini-project based on a shot/sequence. Dailies and guided critique: regular work-in-progress reviews with both technical (integration/consistency) and narrative (intent/readability) feedback. Demo + immediate practice: short in-class demos (15-25 min) followed by supervised execution (60-90 min). Animation references: analysis of clips and VFX breakdowns to justify stylistic and timing decisions.

Gilland, J. (2012). Elemental Magic, Volume 2: The Technique of Special Effects Animation. Routledge. Brinkmann, R. (2008). The Art and Science of Digital Compositing (2nd ed.). Morgan Kaufmann. Meyer, C., & Meyer, T. (2014). Creating Motion Graphics with Adobe After Effects (5th ed.). Focal Press. Wright, S. (2017). Digital Compositing for Film and Video (4th ed.). Focal Press. Okun, J. A., & Zwerman, S. (Eds.). (2021). The VES Handbook of Visual Effects (3rd ed.). Routledge.